Ukraine updates: Kyiv can now hit Russia with German weapons
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Stockholm Friday to meet with the leaders of Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Norway.
“Today I am in Stockholm for the third Ukraine-Northern Europe summit,” Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post, adding, “Our top priorities are to ensure more air defense systems for Ukraine, joint defense industry projects, and weapons for our warriors, as well as global efforts to force Russia to make peace.”
“Ukraine will grow stronger as a result of the support of our principled and consistent allies, as well as new security agreements,” wrote Zelenskyy on Friday.
In February and April, Denmark and Finland respectively signed 10-year security agreements with Kyiv. Norway has been negotiating bilateral security agreements as well.
On Wednesday, Sweden announced its 16th military aid package to Ukraine, vowing to provide 13.3 billion krona ($1.25 billion, €1.36 billion) in air defense and munitions as well as reconstruction funding.
“Ukraine’s cause is our cause,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who promised Stockholm would take “important steps towards further strengthening cooperation between our countries.”
“It is worth saying again and again, you are literally fighting not only for your own freedom but also for our freedom and our security,” he added.
Ukraine has been plagued by a lack of munitions in its defense against Russian invaders. A major aspect of Friday’s meeting will address ways to increase Nordic munitions production as well as helping Kyiv do the same at home.
